It's Another Musical Monday...

December 17, 2018

Welcome to Musical Monday when we bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, we celebrate the holiday season with Gwen Stefani's updated version of Eartha Kitt's 1953 Christmas classic, "Santa Baby."

A song that echoes the sentiments of 1949's “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend" (another favorite of ours); “Santa Baby” features a girl appealing directly to Santa Claus for some of the finer things in life — a sable coat, a blue convertible, a yacht and, finally, “a ring.” Of course she means "the ring"; a diamond engagement ring. She's claims to have been an "angel all year," so she doesn't think she's asking for a lot. Of course Gwen can easily afford to purchase her own diamonds!

"Santa Baby" was released as the first promotional single from Stefani's 2017 holiday album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas. The album rose to #1 on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums chart and the single peaked at #7 on the Billboard Holiday Digital Songs chart.

A blockbuster hit for Kitt in 1953, "Santa Baby" has been covered by dozens of artists over the past 65 years. They include Madonna, Taylor Swift, Natalie Merchant, The Pussycat Dolls, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Evans, Kylie Minogue, Kellie Pickler, Miss Piggy and even Michael Bublé, who chose to address his benefactor as "Santa Buddy."

Written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer, "Santa Baby" is reportedly one of the few Christmas song written by a woman.

Born in Fullerton, Calif., in 1969, Stefani was famous for being the lead singer of No Doubt, but decided to pursue a solo career in 2004. She has won three Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Brit Award, a World Music Award and two Billboard Music Awards. As a member of No Doubt and as a solo artist, she is credited with having sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

Please check out the audio track of Stefani performing "Santa Baby." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing or hum along...

"Santa Baby"
Written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer. Performed by Gwen Stefani.

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight